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(No Modl.)

J. LA BURT. CONVERTIBLE STEP LADDER AND WINDOW PLATFORM. No. 490,664. Patented'Jan; 31, 1893.

IN VENTOH W/I'IVES'SES:

ATTORNEYS.

NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LA BURT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASS IGNOR OF ONE-THIRD ALEX- ANDER MARION LOWRY, OF SAME PLACE.

CONVERTIBLE STEP-LADDER AND WINDOW-PLATFORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 490,664, dated January 31, 1893. Application filed October 20, 1891. Serial No. 409,289. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN LA BURT, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Convertible Step- Ladder and Window-Platform, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a convertible structure of strong and compact form, comprising a step-ladder and a window platform, in which provision is made for holding a water pail and the like when in the erected position, and embodying secure and easily adjusted devices for clamping the structure to a window when washing the latter, thereby affording a substantial platform.

The invention consists in the novel construction hereinafterparticularly described and defined in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side view of the ladder, adjusted and secured in place in a window to provide a platform; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same, removed from the window, the hinged shelf being omitted, in the interest of clearness; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the same arranged as a step ladder and in erected position.

The ladder A is of the usual form, in so far as it has the usual steps a and the usual hinged legs B. In my improvement, there is secured to the steps a, at the back, and preferably let into such steps, a strip 0, which ranges longitudinally of the ladder A, and is formed with a longitudinal series of holes 0, as shown in Fig. 2, of the drawings. To the strip 0, thus apertured, there is held a clamp bar D,which is formed with an elongated slot (1 ranging longitudinally thereof, a suitable bolt, screw or like device (1, passing through said slot and through any one of the apertures c of strip 0, serving to hold the said clamp bar to the strip and maintain it in the adj usted position.

The clamp bar 'D by reason of being piv- otally supported by the bolt d may be swung into line withthe strip 0, when not in use, as shown in Fig. 3, or to a position transversely to such strip as in Figs. 1 and 2, and the clamp bar may be adjusted transversely by reason of its slot d. The "clamp bar acts in conjunction with the braces E, of novel form, which are pivotally held as at e, to the'side bars or uprights a, of theladder A, the braces engaging when the ladder is erected, with headed pins 6, on the legs B, and engaging when the ladder is folded, with similar pins e on the uprights a.

The braces E include, each, a main member 6 which near its base or pivoted end, is bent three times to give it a stepped shape, thereby providing a substantially right angled abutment of which the member 6 is 7 adapted to rest on the top of the sill A of a window when the structure is folded, While the member a, rests against the face of such si1l. A bar of, unites the ends of-the brace giving the same a triangular form.

To secure the structure to a window to provide a platform, the legs B, B, are folded against the back of the ladder, the braces E are placed against the sill A at the outside of the same, and the clamp bar D is turned at right angles to the length of the ladder so as to extend at its ends beyond the window opening.

The clamp D is permitted to move freely between the ladder A and legs B, when the bolt 01' is unscrewed from the strip 0, the1adder and its legs B, being spaced apart by cleats B, which are secured to the lower ends of the legs B, at the inside to provide a proper footing. lhe apertures 0 enable the clamp to be adjusted against the inside of the window frame, in which position it is securely held by the bolt d, or its equivalent, thereby firmly securing the structure in the horizontal position to form a substantial platform, 0 whereon one may stand while cleaning the outside of a window. In theface of the clamp bar, rubber studs 61 are secured to give the clamp a better bearing against the window frame. 5

When the ladder is erected,sas shown in Fig. 3, the braces E perform the usual functions of similar braces. In order that the ladder may have a suitable support for a pail or the 1ike,a pivoted shelf F, is provided, the 10c same being held at about its center, to a rod f, Which passes into or through the legs B, the connection between the said bar and shelf being such as to permit the latter to be swung vertically into line with and between thelegs B as shown in full lines in Fig. l and indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3, or into the horizontal position as indicated in full lines in Fig. 3, said shelf, when in the latter position contacting at one end against the underside of one of the steps a, While its outer end projects beyond the legs B, and affords support for a pail or the like. "he shelf is permitted to assume the horizontal position by reason of its longitudinal boards f, being spaced apart that they may pass each side of the strip C, and clamp D.

It will be seen the above described ladder is efficient for its purposes, is strong and durable, and that the adjuncts relating particularly to the platform feature are so arranged as not to interfere With those specially relating to the step-ladder as such, and vice versa.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with astep ladder having a pivoted leg supporting brace formed with an abutment to bear against awindow sill, of a clamping device mounted on the ladder to engage the outer side of a Window frame.

2. The combination with a step-ladder, having an abutment thereon adapted to bear against a WlIIClOW sill, of a clamp bar pivotally held thereto, said clamp bar being adjustable longitudinally of the ladder, and movable into line with the ladder and transversely thereto, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a step-ladder,hav-

ing a pivoted leg supporting brace formed with an abutment adapted to bear against a window sill, of a clamp bar, adjustable both longitudinally and transversely of the ladder, substantially as described.

4.. The combination with a step ladder, having an abutment adapted to bear against a window sill, of a clamp bar held thereto, and movable into line with the ladder and transversely thereto, the clamp bar also being adjustable longitudinally of the ladder and transversely of the same, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a step-ladder and its hinged legs, of braces pivoted. at one end to the ladder proper and having a bend therein forming an abutment, the free end of the pivoted braces being adapted to engage pins or projections on the legs of the ladderproper, and a clamp bar movable toward and from said braces, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a step-ladder having an apertured strip secured to the steps at the back thereof, of a longitudinally adjustable clamp bar held to said strip by a bolt passing therethrough and into one of the apertures of the said strip, the clamp bar being movable on said bolt into line with the strip or at right angles thereto, and braces bent to form abutments which act in conjunction with the clamp bar in securing the ladder to a window, substantially as described.

7. The herein described convertible structure, comprising a step-ladder, and hinged legs thereon, braces pivoted to the ladder and adapted to engage the legs, the said braces being stepped to form abutments for the purpose speeified, a clamp bar held to the ladder, and adapted to be swung into line therewith or transversely thereto, and adj ustable longitudinally of the ladder and transversely thereto, and a footing formed of cleats B se cured to the lower ends of the legs on the inner side thereof and spacing them from the ladder proper, substantially as described.

JOHN LA BURT. Witnesses:

J. L. .lVlCAULIFFE, G. SEneWIcK. 

